Table



D. R. HOYT March 29, 1966 TABLE Filed Dec. 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 29,1966 D. R. How 3,242,882.

TABLE v V I Filed Dec. 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR v DERYL. R. HOYT BY I ATTORNEY D. R. HOYT March 29, 1966 TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 18, 1964 INVENTOR DERYL R. HOYT FIG. 5

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,242,882 TABLE Deryl R. Hoyt, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 419,305 2 Claims. (Cl. 108-48) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly to a table which may be folded into a storage position when not in use.

In conjunction with boats, so-called motor homes, camping trailers, and the like it is often desirable to provide a table which may be stored in an out-of-the-way location when it is not in use. Generally speaking such tables include a one-piece table-top which is supported adjacent one end by a support wall and at the other end by legs which extend to the floor or by a brace which angles back to the support wall. Such tables usually may be removed from the wall and the one-piece ta'ble-top and the legs or brace then stored in some convenient location. Such removable table constructions are inconvenient to assemble for use and disassemble for storage.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide a table construction which is readily folda-ble from a use position to a storage position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a generally improved folding table construction.

In carrying out my invention in a preferred embodiment I provide a table-top having first and second portions, each portion having an upper and lower surface. The table-top portions are pivotally connected together for movement between a position in which the upper surfaces are substantially co-planar to a position in which the lower surfaces are in confronting relation. Also, the first tabletop portion is pivotally connected to a supporting wall or the like. A leg is pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the second table-top portion and adapted to engage the floor at the other end thereof. A brace is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the leg and is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to the first table-top portion.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the table fully extended for use;

FIGURE 2 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows the table partially folded;

FIGURE 3 is similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 with the table fully folded to a storage position;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the table in the position shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing to better advantage the lock for retaining the table in storage position.

Referring to the figures, reference numeral denotes generally the table of my invention which includes a tabletop 12, a leg assembly 14 and a brace 16. As can be seen from FIG. 1 table 10 is designed to be supported partially by leg assembly 14 and supported partially by a wall 18, for example, or other similar structure.

Table-top 12 is a two piece assembly which includes first and second portions and 22 which are substantially rectangular in shape. The first table-top portion 20 has an upper surface 24 which is substantially plane, a lower surface 26 which is substantially parallel to upper surface 24, and an end 28 (FIG. 2). Likewise, the second table-top portion 22 includes similar upper and lower surfaces 30 and 32 and an end 34.

Table-top portions 20 and 22 are pivotally joined or hinged by hinges 36 adjacent the lower edge of ends 28 and 34. Table-top portion 26 also is pivotally connected to the wall or support 18 by means of a pair of hinges 38, each hinge including an L-shaped bracket 40 connected to table-top portion 20, an L-shaped bracket 42 connected to support 18 and a hinge pin 44 pivotally connecting brackets 40 and 42. As will be noted from FIG. 1 table-top portions 2% and 22 are hinged together so that the adjacent ends 28 and 34 thereof abut each other and maintain upper surfaces 24 and 30 substantially co-planar when table-top portions 20 and 22 are folded out to the position shown in FIG. 1.

Leg assembly 14 includes a pair of tubular members 46 which are bolted together at 48. The upper portions of members 46 diverge, as shown, in order to provide good lateral stability at the hinged connection of leg assembly 14 to table-top portion 22. The bottom portions of tubular members 46 likewise diverge, as shown, in order to increase lateral stability and the extreme bottom portions are turned in opposite directions to form a pair of feet 50 which are adapted to engage a floor 52 or other supporting structure. Leg assembly 14 may be said to have an X-shaped configuration when viewed as in FIG. 4. Leg assembly 14 is pivotally connected to undersurface 32 of table-top portion 22' by means of a pair of angle brackets 54 and a pair of bolt and nut assemblies 56 which engage respectively the upper portions of tubular members 46 and the adjacent angle brackets 54, as best shown in FIG. 4.

Brace 16 preferably is tubular, although, obviously, other shapes can be used, and has a slight downward bend at 58 of approximately 5 which faciltates holding leg assembly 14 against wall 18, as will be explained in more detail shortly. Brace 16 is pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to leg assembly 14 by means of a pin 6i) which is disposed between the upper portions of tubular members 46 and on which is rotatably journaled a sleeve 62 to which brace 16 is connected by any suitable means, such as welding. The other end of brace 16 is pivotally connected to undersurface 36 of table-top portion 20 by means of a hinge 64.

It will be noted at this point that the axes of the various pivotal or hinged connections are all substantially parallel.

A cut out portion 66 is provided in the undersurface 32 of table-top portion 22 in order to provide clearance for brace 16 when table 10 is folded into the storage position shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, a pair of cutouts 68 are provided in undersurface 26 of table-top portion 20 in order to provide clearance for the pivotal connections 54, 56 of leg assembly 14 to table-top portion 22 when table 10 is folded to the storage position shown in FIG. 3.

Table 10 is held in the folded storage position shown in FIG. 3 by means of a lock 70 which includes a catch 72 fixed to the edge of table-top portion 20 adjacent wall 18 and a latch 74 connected to undersurface 32 of table-top portion 22, as shown. Latch 74 is arranged to engage catch 72 when table 11) is in the position shown in FIG. 3.

In order to prevent table 10 from rattling when it is disposed in the position shown in FIG. 3 brace 16 is provided with a bend at 58 of about 5", as mentioned hereinabove, so that the bottom of leg assembly 14 a'buts wall 18. Also, a bumper 76 of any suitable resilient material is fastened to undersurface 32 of table-top portion 22 so that it engages leg assembly 14, as shown, when table 10 is folded to the position shown in FIG. 3. In addition, a bumper 77 of any suitable resilient material is fastened to support 18 so that it engages table-top portion 20, as shown, when table 10 is folded to the position shown in FIG. 3.

In operation, assume that table It} is in the position shown in FIG. 1 and it is desired to fold it to the storage position shown in FIG. 3. One grasps table-top 12 and raises it slightly so as to lift leg assembly 14 away from floor -Next, one raises table-top 12 in the vicinity of binge 36, causing it to buckle upwardly. Table is now substantially in the position shown in FIG. 2. Now, one merely pushes table-top portion 22 toward wall '18 and the entire table 10 folds to the position shown in FIG. 3 in -which latch 74 engages catch 72 to lock table 10 in the FIG. 3 position. It will be noted that brace serves, during folding movement of table-top 12, to actuate leg assembly 14 from its substantially right angle disposition relative to table top 12 to a disposition approaching par- ,allel with table-top portions and 22, as shown in FIG.

3. In order to unfold table 10 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary merely to release lock 70, and then grasping table-top portion 22, pull outwardly and slightly upwardly.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that I have provided a relatively simple table construction which,

.while it is extremely rigid and sturdy, can, nevertheless be easily folded from a use position to a storage position and vice versa.

Although I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it Will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the structure, form and relative arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that I intend parallel, said first portion also being pivotally connected to the said support, a generally X-sh-aped leg assembly pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said undersurface of said second portion and disposable substantially perpendicular tosaid second portion when said portions are in said use position, and a rigid brace pivotally connectedradjacent one end thereof to said undersurface of said ,first portion and pivotally connected adjacent the other end thereof to said leg assembly intermediate the ends thereof so that movement of said portions from said use position to said storage position actuates said leg assembly from said perpendicular position to a position between and substantially parallel to said portions.

2. A table as set forth in claim 1 andincluding a lock for holding said portions in said storage position and a resilient member fixed to said table-top and disposed to abut said leg assembly when said portions are in said storage position and said leg assembly and brace cooperate so that the end of said leg assembly remote from said table-top abuts the support when said portions are in said storage position so that rattling of the table in said storage position is minimized.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,137,172 4/1915 Stew-art 10848 1,317,895 10/1919 Rudy 108-38 X 1,580,289 4/1926 Cummings 108134 1,724,457 8/1929 Cummings 10838 1,796,002 3/1931 Covell 10837 2,199,981 5/1940 Bell 10838 2,203,394 6/1940 Schieber 108-38 2,580,618 1/1952 Terrell 108-112 2,716,044 8/1955 Overby 1081 12 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCI-I, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FOLDING TABLE FOR USE WITH A SUPPORT, SAID TABLE COMPRISING A TABLE-TOP HAVING FIRST AND SECOND GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PORTIONS, EACH PORTION INCLUDING AN UNDERSURFACE AND AN EDGE, SAID PORTIONS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A USE POSITION IN WHICH SAID PORTIONS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY CO-PLANAR AND SAID EDGES ARE IN ABUTMENT AND A STORAGE POSITION IN WHICH SAID UNDERSURFACES ARE IN CONFRONTING RELTION AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, SAID FIRST PORTION ALSO BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE SAID SUPPORT, A GENERALLY X-SHAPED LEG ASSEMBLY PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID UNDERSURFACE OF SAID SECOND PORTION AND DISPOSABLE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SECOND PORTION WHEN SAID PORTIONS ARE IN SAID USE POSITION, AND A RIGID BRACE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID UNDERSURFACE OF SAID FIRST PORTION AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF TO SAID LEG ASSEMBLY INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF SO THAT MOVEMENT OF SAID PORTIONS FROM SAID USE POSITION TO SAID STORAGE POSITION ACTUATES SAID LEG ASSEMBLY FROM SAID PERPENDICULAR POSITION TO A POSITION BETWEEN AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID PORTIONS. 